Common name: Whitespotted moray

Scientific name: Gymnothorax punctatus Bloch & Schneider, 1801
White-mouth moray looks out of its hole.brown and white spotted moray on coral very close up on a reef of bonaire dutch caribbean
White spotted moray eel in coral reef

General information

The Spotted Moray, scientifically known as Gymnothorax punctatus, is a striking species of moray eel found in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is easily recognizable by its dark brown to greenish body adorned with numerous small white spots. This species can reach a length of up to 40 inches, making it a medium-sized moray eel.

Moray eels like the Spotted Moray have a unique hunting mechanism involving a second set of jaws in their throat called pharyngeal jaws, which they use to grasp prey and pull it into their digestive system.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
200 liter (53 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
Temperature
22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
60 cm (2′)
Care level
Moderate to difficult Sensitive to water quality.
Diet
Carnivore Prefers live or frozen foods.
Social
Solo Territorial, best kept alone.
Reefsafe
No May eat small fish/inverts.
Aggression
Semi aggresive Can be aggressive to tankmates.
Captive bred
No

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Eels
    Anguilliformes
  5. Family
    Moray Eels
    Muraenidae
  6. Genus
    Moray Eels
    Gymnothorax
  7. Species
    Whitespotted moray
    Gymnothorax punctatus Bloch & Schneider, 1801
  8. Synonyms
    Lycodontis punctatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Care

Spotted Morays require a large aquarium with a tight-fitting lid to prevent escape. They need plenty of hiding places and a sandy substrate to mimic their natural environment. This species is carnivorous, feeding on a diet of fish, squid, and crustaceans. It is essential to feed them a varied diet to ensure proper nutrition.

Reproduction

In the wild, Spotted Morays are solitary creatures except during breeding. Little is known about their breeding habits in the wild, and breeding in captivity is rare. They are oviparous, with females releasing eggs that are fertilized externally by the male.

Habitat

Spotted Morays are found in shallow reefs and rocky areas, often hiding in crevices during the day. They are nocturnal hunters and can be found in the Western Atlantic from North Carolina, USA, and Bermuda to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.